The Argentine Women’s
national team arrives for the 2003 World Cup in Japan
with a huge assignment in front of them.

Limited
training, a disrupted buildup and injuries are all key
factors as the South Americans endeavor to improve
upon their World Cup record, which stands at an
eighth-place finish in 1973 in Uruguay and 11th-place
finish out of
12 teams in 1999 in Japan.

Coach Hugo Jáuregui knows how difficult the task is to
gain any sort of ascendancy during the 2003 World Cup
knowing that the opposing teams are all better
prepared. A lot will depend on experienced players
like Paula Parisi and Sandra Kobetic to quickly
develop a rhythm and a competent game plan, in order
to give Argentina a chance.

The South Americans are naturally gifted Volleyball
players and will definitely provide a test for some teams,
as illustrated at the 2002 World
Championship where they finished 17th, it is just a question if they can take
the next step and challenge an opponent for the match
honours.

Following
their South American Championship glory where they
qualified for the World Cup through only losing to
Brazil and finishing ahead of Peru and Colombia,
Argentina will take some form of confidence into the
tournament.

The match against Egypt has already been the one singled out by the
Argentine coaching staff as a game where
their team can gain confidence and register a win but
first things first, they have the first hurdle to
conquer against Japan on the opening day.